An investigation has been launched after a man was found dead in a padlocked flat.
The 32-year-old had not been seen for several weeks before officers went round to his property in Aberdeen, broke down the door and found a body inside.
Last night, there were calls for an “urgent” investigation into how the man could have been locked inside the property on Balnagask Avenue.
Torry councillor Catriona Mackenzie said: “This is incredibly upsetting and I have the deepest sympathies for this man’s family, who will no doubt be devastated by this awful news.
“It is unacceptable if this property was locked up without the full and proper checks being done.”
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Police went round to the council flat on Friday, after receiving a concerned call about his welfare the day before and discovered his body.
There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances, and his death is currently being treated as unexplained.
Detective Inspector Allen Shaw said: “Police received a concern call regarding 32-year-old man who had not been seen for several months on Thursday, March 7.
“He was traced deceased on Friday, March 8, within a flat at Balnagask Avenue in Aberdeen.
“The death is being treated as unexplained, and inquiries are ongoing.
“There are no apparent suspicious circumstances and initial police inquiries indicate that he had been dead for some time.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
A friend of the man described him as a “really lovely, likeable guy” with a “brilliant sense of humour”, who “would always offer you a hand if you needed help”.
He said: “He didn’t deserve this, nobody deserves this. I hadn’t seen him for months.
“It’s tragic that somebody could have lain there for that period of time without being discovered – surely to God there should have been something in place to check on him.”
A spokesman for the city council said: “We have been notified of the death of a tenant and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected.
“Aberdeen City Council has supported police in their inquiries. It would not be appropriate to comment further.”